11:11 p.m.
by Ashley Roberts
WSLS NEWS REPORTER
Bedford Police and Animal Control were busy today investigating an animal hoarding case.
They spent the day removing more than 40 cats from a mobile home on Woodside Court in Bedford. An anonymous tip is what led them to the home.
"There are a lot of cats everywhere. Cats laying on top of televisions. Cats walking on counter tops," said Bedford Police Lt. Todd Foreman
One by one, animal control officers brought the cats outside as a vet examined them. We're told most of the cats are okay, but a few needed medical attention.
"It would seem like she's hoarding animals," Foreman said referring to the owner of the cats.
The woman's name has not been released, but Foreman said charges are pending.
According to police, the owner claims the cats were strays or she found them abandoned around town.
"She's getting them from parking lots, such as Food Lion, Burger King, Goodwill. She catches them in those parking lots and tries to rescue them," said Foreman.
Lt. Foreman went inside the home. He says it's neat, but there is an infestation of fleas and a strong ammonia odor. He says one room, where most of the cats stayed, had high levels.
"She said she loves the cats and she knows them each by name. She has a name for each cat," said Foreman .
The woman is now turning them over voluntarily.
After we left, police condemned the home, meaning it's no longer safe for the owner or her cats to live there.
Lt. Foreman says some of the cats have fleas, eye problems and ear mites. The Bedford County Humane Society and Angels of Assisi in Roanoke are now taking care of them.
Angels of Assisi is asking people to donate kitty litter and Purina Cat Chow.
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UPDATE from 10 On Your Side's Ashley Roberts 6:00 p.m.
According to Lt. Todd Foreman with the Bedford Police Dept., police received an anonymous tip Thursday morning about a possible animal hoarder.
He says some cats are in better condition than others. Currently a veterinarian with the Bedford Co. Human Society is checking the animals out.
Police say the home has an infestation of fleas and a strong ammonia smell. However, a HAZMAT team was not required.
The owners name isn't being released at this time, but charges are pending.
Police say the owner claims all of the cats were strays or abandoned.
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Bedford Police are working a potential animal hoarding case.
They tell us 50 to 60 cats have been found inside a single-wide trailer on Woodside Court in Bedford City.
Officers are on the scene, preparing to remove the animals. Up to 40 of the cats are expected to be taken to Angels of Assisi.
We have a crew on the way.
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